Matthew Henry Commentary Genesis 9:24-29

"And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his youngest son had done unto him. And he said, Cursed be Canaan; A servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren. And he said, Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Shem; And let Canaan be his servant. God enlarge Japheth, And let him dwell in the tents of Shem; And let Canaan be his servant. And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years. And all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years: And he died." — Genesis 9:24-29 (ASV)

Noah declares a curse on Canaan, the son of Ham; perhaps this grandson of his was more guilty than the rest. He shall be a servant of servants, that is, the meanest and most despicable servant, even to his brothers. This certainly points to the victories in later times obtained by Israel over the Canaanites, by which they were put to the sword or brought to pay tribute.

The whole continent of Africa was peopled mostly by the descendants of Ham. For how many ages have the better parts of that country lain under the dominion of the Romans, then of the Saracens, and now of the Turks!

In what wickedness, ignorance, barbarity, slavery, and misery most of the inhabitants live! And of the poor enslaved Africans, how many every year are sold and bought like beasts in the market, and transported from one part of the world to do the work of beasts in another!

But this in no way excuses the covetousness and barbarity of those who enrich themselves with the product of their sweat and blood. God has not commanded us to enslave Africans; and, undoubtedly, he will severely punish all such cruel wrongs.

The fulfillment of this prophecy, which contains almost a history of the world, frees Noah from the suspicion of having uttered it from personal anger. It fully proves that the Holy Spirit took occasion from Ham's offense to reveal his secret purposes.

Blessed be the Lord God of Shem. The church should be built up and continued in the posterity of Shem. From him came the Jews, who were, for a long time, the only professing people God had in the world.

Christ, who was the Lord God, should in his human nature descend from Shem; for from him, as concerning the flesh, Christ came.

Noah also blesses Japheth, and, in him, the islands of the gentiles that were peopled by his descendants. It speaks of the conversion of the gentiles, and the bringing of them into the church.

We may read it, God shall persuade Japheth, and being persuaded, he shall dwell in the tents of Shem. Jews and gentiles shall be united in the gospel fold; both shall be one in Christ.

Noah lived to see two worlds; but being an heir of the righteousness which is by faith, he now rests in hope, waiting to see a better than either.